Overcoming Temptation

2001-11-30 - Rated 4 of 5 by 5 users - (Print Notes)

Part # 6: What is temptation worth? by ghoffmanpdx

<a href="LookUp.phtml?verse=Genesis+25%3A25-34;27-35">Genesis 25:25-34
Genesis 27-35</a>

There is an old saying that goes something like "For want of a nail, the kingdom was lost". The full story tells how because there was no nail, a horseshoe was lost. Because the horseshoe was lost, the horse was lost. Because the horse was lost, the rider was lost. Because the rider was lost, the battle was lost. Because the battle was lost, the kingdom was lost. This illustrates shows how one simple thing can end up in major disaster.

Esau was the oldest twin son of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau¥s twin was Jacob. Esau, being the oldest, was entitled to a birthright. In Jewish tradition, this meant a double portion of the paternal inheritance (property, etc.) went to the oldest born son.

In a moment of hunger, Esau gave it all (ALL!!) for a bowl of red soup. He thought he would starve and because his mind was on his temporary physical desire for food, he gave his future up to his younger brother.

Later on, Jacob deceived their father, Isaac, into thinking he was Esau. This was done in order to receive the birthright (covenant) blessing from their father. It validated the fact that he received from their father what Esau had given up. Shortly after this, Jacob left to escape the anger of his older brother.

After thirty some years, Jacob returned and faced Esau, and they reconciled. Another 20 years later, their father died, and the two brother probably met for the last time at his grave. Esau left Canaan and became a powerful and wealthy chief in Edom. A long time after this, when the descendants of Jacob came out of Egypt, the Edomites fought against Israel. Why? Because they remembered what had happened between Esau and Jacob. For want of a bowl of soup, thousands off lives were lost in wars centuries later.

So many people are so willing to give up eternal life for their few minutes of pleasure. People that refuse to accept God¥s promises, because they enjoy the pleasures of the flesh so much, are like Esau. They can¥t wait, don¥t want to wait, so they please themselves now. They are more focused on the immediate, temporary desires of the flesh.

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